Method and apparatus for the treatment of matter



mm 19, 1940- G. A. Rumssbw 2,222,266

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF MATTER Filed Aug. 2, 1937 Patented Nov. 19, 1940 l PATENT OFFICE rmTnoo AND APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT or MATTER George Alexis Rubissow, New York, N. Y.

Application August 2,

In Great Britain Claims.

The present invention relates to the centrifugal treatment of materials.

The chief object of the present invention is to provide a method of effecting this centrifugal treatment capable of ensuring new results concerning the separation and re-grouping of the particles of the matter treated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for carrying out the method above referred to.

According to an essential feature of the present invention the mass of the matter to be treated is subjected to a rotation at such speeds that it provides sufficient centrifugal force around a first axle. This may be done by putting the matter in a suitable container, mold or the like preferably attached pivotally to an arm, which arm is. rigidly ailixed to a rotatable first shaft (first axle or first axis). This first shaft is itself and simultaneously with its rotation, subjected to another rotation about a second shaft (second axle or axis). Suitable means as further described and as shown in the drawing are employed to realize suchsimultaneous rotation in two diiferent planes, i. e., around two different axles, each of which axle is exterior to the matter under treatment, and do not pass through the said matter.

This provides an influence of two different centrifugal forces acting on the material in two different directions, preferably the two axles of rotation should be at right angles one to another in order to produce homogenous centrifugal forces. the axles of rotation may also However, be under any suitable angle, one to another, provided they are exterior to the matter to be treated, and in this case the centrifugal forces and their theoretical resultant force will not be homogenous and will create a kind of pulsating centrifugal force periodically variating between appropriate maxima and minima.

It should be remarked'that the speed of rotation to be used around the first and the second axes should be sufficiently high. It may even be extremely high if great centrifugal action is required. The radii of rotation and their respective lengths as well as the relationship of the number of revolutions around the first and second axles of rotation in all reasonable varia- 50 tions are the subject of this invention.

' Another aspect of this invention is the use of more than two rotations about more than two different axles. That may be realized for instance if the device as described in the previous paragraph is itself rotated around a third axle.

1937, Serial No. 156,87 December 3, 1936 (o1. ra-es) However, this may ofier also a non-homogenous centrifugal force changing the direction of the force in the interior of the material from one direction to another because of interference of the centrifugal forces created by the rotation 5 around the third axle with other centrifugal forces. Such devices are also covered by the present invention.

The rates of rotation about the respective axes mayv be either independent or interrelated.

According to another feature of the present invention, concerning the apparatus for carrying out the treatment, a shaft is journalled in another one, transversely, and preferably at right angles, thereto, and it carries, through an arm 15 keyed thereon, the vessel containing the matter to be treated, the rotation of the first mentioned shaft about its own axis being advantageously produced by the rotation of the other shaft about its own axis. 20

Other features of the present invention will result from the following detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be hereinafter described, with refer- 25 ence to the accompanying drawing, given merely by way of example, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical view of a simple embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention; 30

Fig. 2 is an axial sectional view of an embodiment of such an apparatus. v Fig. 1 shows the possibility of subjecting a matter present in containers such as I4 to a double centrifugal treatment about the respective axes :c--:n and y-- y, this last mentioned axis, to wit, y-y, being itselngiven a rotary movement about axis :r--:c.

The containers, such as I4, are provided at the ends of an arm I I, mounted on shaft 2 (having its axis on (11-11) transversely thereto, and preferably at right angles thereto. As for shaft 2 it is mounted transversely (and also preferably atright angles) to a shaft I, having its axis coinciding with a::r.

With such an arrangement, it is very easy to provide means for causing first shaft 2 to turn about axis .r-a: at high speed, and, secondly, arm II to turn about axis y--y at high speed.

Such a combined movement might be obtained in various manners. For instance shaft 2 might be keyed on shaft I and arm II would then be journalled on said shaft 2.

Or alternately, arm Il may be keyed on shaft 2, while said shaft 2 is journalled in shaft I.

I might even combine these two arrangements and have both arm I I journalled about shaft 2 and shaft 2 journalled in shaft I. p

All these arrangements are possible with the 5 diagrammatic showing of Fig, 1. Their choice ,will depend upon the possibilities and facilities for positively transmitting the two elementary rotary movements to the parts of the system.

I can, of course, transmit these rotary movements independently to the respective parts. But I have found that it is both simpler and safer to interconnect these rotary movements so that the second rotary movement results from the relative displacement of the corresponding part under the influence of the first rotary movement.

For instance, considering the arrangement disclosed by Fig. 1, and supposing that arm II is keyed on shaft 2 and that said shaft 2 is journalled in shaft I, I provide on shaft 2 a rotary element keyed thereto and adapted to roll upon a fixed element coaxial with shaft I, in such manner that the rotation of shaft 2 about axis a:.r simultaneously causes said shaft 2 to revolve about its own axis y-y.

A practical embodiment of such an arrangement is shown by Fig. 2.

In this construction, shaft I, adapted to turn about axis :c-x, is mounted in bearings such as 3.

This shaft I will be driven through any suitable means, for instance through a driving wheel I6 keyed thereon.

Shaft I carries, rigidly fixed thereto, a casing I provided with a bore extending preferably and for instance at right angles to the axis :c-x of shaft I.

Shaft 2 is journalled in said bore, being for instance mounted in bearings such as 5 and 6 carried by easing 4.

On a fixed part of the frame of the apparatus,

for instance on bearing 3, there is mounted a support 8, secured to said bearing 3, for instance by nuts i. This support 8 carries a toothed wheel 9, in coaxial position with respect to shaft I.

Toothed wheel 9 is in mesh .with a toothed wheel I0 keyed on shaft 2, whereby said toothed bevel wheels remain in mesh, one rolling on the other, when shaft I is revolving.

The end of shaft 2 carries, keyed thereto, an

arm II, to the ends of which casings such as It are pivotally mounted, for instance by means of pins such as I 2.

In these casings are placed vessels, such as is,

containing the matter to be treated, designated by reference character I5.

In order to resist the thrust exerted by shaft 2, the end of said shaft includes an enlarged portion with a conical surface adapted to cooperate with a conical bearing I9 provided on a part I1 rigid with casing 4 and assembled therewith by means of bolts and nuts I8.

In order to ensure lubrication between shaft 2, on the one hand, and bearings, such as 6 and I9, on the other hand, I provide in casing 4 lubricating grooves such as 36, provided with suitable covers, such as 37.

The apparatus above described works in the following manner:

Supposing that the matter to .be treated has been placed in containers I3, themselves present in casings I4, shaft I is driven in rotation by means of the driving wheel I6.

In view of the meshing of toothed wheels 9 and I 0, wheel III rolls on wheel-9, so that arm II, keyed on shaft 2 is given two high speed rotary motions, one about axis :r-J: and the other about axis yy.

Of course, the structure shown at the lower end of shaft 2 may be provided, symmetrically therewith, at the opposite end of said shaft, so 5 that the whole is balanced. Or, more simply, the part of shaft 2 above axis az-x may be provided with a counterweight corresponding to the weight of the structure mounted on the lower end of said shaft 2. 10

Instead of using gear arrangement as shown in the drawing, the rotation of the arm of the first and the second shaft may be realized by means of electric motors. One motor could be mounted in the place Where the first shaft receives the arm 15 and the second motor could be mounted in the place where the second shaft meets the first shaft.

According to an interesting application of my invention, the matter I5 present in containers It consists of a molten metal. This metal is sub- 20 jected to the simultaneous multiple centrifugal motions while it hardens, and also, if deemed necessary, after hardening, when cooling down, so as to subject it to a kind of ageing treatment.

I have explained all the advantages and new re- 25 suits to be obtained, in a general manner, when molten metal is subjected to a high speed and great radius centrifugal movement.

These results are further improved by subjecting the metal to a centrifugating treatment tive axes.

On the other hand, it will be readily understood that the advantageous results of the centrifugal treatment in general depend upon the 5 position of the axis of revolution with respect to the shape of the moulded piece to be obtained, and in particular with respect to the geometrical axis about distinct respecor axes of said moulded piece. Now, the multiple centrifugation treatment according to the pres- 40 ent invention permits new and very interesting combinations from this point of view, especially when said moulded piece has several geometrical axes.

0n the other hand, independently of these ad- 45 vantages, which may be considered as purely mechanical, it has been found that multiple centrifugation acording' to the present invention permits of obtaining relative displacements and re-groupings of the molecules of the matter which 5 could not be obtained by means of a single rotation about one axis. As far as it can be ascertained, it would seem that the molecules, which, in the case of rotation of a mass of matter about a single axis, still remain interlinked to one 55 another, are fully released from one another by double, or multiple, centrifugal treatment according to the present invention and can thus freely settle into the most advantageous relative arrangements- It should also be noted that the method according to the present invention'is in no way limited to its application to the treatment of molten metals. As a matter of fact, it can be 65 applied with great advantage to medical and bacteriological research work and to chemistry.

Treatment of various serums, of blood, urine, of solutions containing bacillus, etc., often does not permit separation of the elements as it would 70 be desired under the mere effect of centrifugation because, up to now, this centrifugal treatment was always performed about a single axis. The double or multiple centrifugal treatment according to the present invention will undoubtedly 75 simultaneous multiple permit, separation and analysis of elements which could not be dissociated from one another wit the known treatments used up to now.

Very interesting results will be obtained in a likewise manner in chemistry. It is believed that new fields of search will open owing to the possibility of freeing the molecules from mutual action on one another by the simultaneous application of centrifugal actions about different respective axes.

It should be remarked that according to this invention, the two centrifugal forces act simultaneously on each particle of the materials in two different directions. In case of right angle rotation they act at right angles. In general the particles of the matter independent of whether it is molten material, molten metal, molten alloy, molten glass, molten plastic or any chemical fluidsor gases, or any other substance which during at least a certain time of rotation has its particles in free relation one in respect to another,

so that each particle, or each molecule, or each crystal, or in cases of bacteriology, each bacillus is subjected simultaneously to the influence of such two differentcentrifugal forces. more, owing to the fact that from a theoretical point of-view, each of the centrifugal forces during each infinitely small period of time when pushing the particle, molecule, crystal, bacillus or the like, cannot be considered as homogenous forces in the ideal sense of the word, because of mechanical vibration of the apparatus during the rotation, because of friction against air during the rotation, etc. etc. It may therefore be assumed that the differential, in the sense of higher mathematics, (of the first centrifugal and second centrifugal force) for a differential of time (of time of rotation) will be different from the differentials which will immediately follow after the first differentials, i. e. after an infinitelysmall period of time has passed. Therefore I presume that my invention provides by means of two centrifugal for :es applied simultaneously, not one resultant centrifugal force, but I believe that each of the particles or the like are continuously forced in two different directions.

Of course, although rotation about two different axes is by far the simplest way of carrying out.

my. invention, this does not constitute a limitation, as it may be advantageous under special circumstances to subject a matter to three or more simultaneous rotations about different respective axes. I

In a general manner, while I have, in the above description, disclosed what I deem to be practical and efficient embodiments of the present invention, it should be well understood that I do not wishto be limited thereto as there might be changes made in the arrangement, disposition. and form of the parts without departing from the principle of the present invention as comprehended within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Iclaim:

1. A method of treating a matter which comprises sublecting the matter simultaneously to an influence of actions caused by two corresponding centrifugal forces, characterized by rotating a container which holds said matter simultaneously around two different axles of rotation. each of which axles of rotation is placed exteriorly to said mattenwhen the latter is under treatment.

2. A method of treating a matter which com- Furtherprises subjecting the matter simultaneously to an influence of two actions caused by two corresponding centrifugal forces, characterized by rotating a container which holds said matter simultaneously around two different axles of rotation placed exteriorly to the matter when the latter is under treatment, said axles being at right angles to one another.

3. Apparatus of the class described'for treatment of matter comprising in combination, a supporting arm, a container pivotally mounted upon said arm, a shaft rigidly affixed to the supportingarm, the longitudinal axis of the shaft being in spaced relation to said container, a casing for rotatably supporting. said shaft, a shaft rigidly afiixed to the casing, a supporting frame for rotatably mounting the second-named shaft, the latter being adapted for rotation about an axis in spaced relation to said container and in spaced relation to a point of attachment of the supporting arm to the first-named shaft, means for'operatively interconnecting the first-named shaft to said supporting frame to enable two simultaneous rotations of the container, one rotation being around said axis of the firstnamed shaft, the other rotation being about the longitudinal axis of the second-named shaft, said means comprising an element afflxed to the supporting frame, and an element affixed to the firstnamed shaft, and means for retaining each of said shafts in a predetermined position relative to said casing.

4. Apparatus of the character described in claim 3 wherein the axes of the first and secondnamed shafts are perpendicular to one another.

5. Apparatus of the character described in claim 3 wherein the axes of the first and second named shafts are relatively disposed at an angle intermediate a right angle and zero degrees.

6. Apparatus of the character described in claim 3 wherein the supporting arm and firstnamed shaft are perpendicular to one another.

'7. Apparatus 'of the character described in claim 3 wherein the supporting arm and firstnamed shaft are relatively disposed at an angle' intermediate zero degrees and a right angle.

, 8. Apparatus of the character described in claim 3 wherein the means for operatively interconnecting the first-named shaft to the supporting frame comprises a gear rigidly attached to the supporting frame, and another gear rigidly attached to the first-named shaft.

9. Apparatus of the classdescribed for treating matter comprising in combination, a supporting arm, a container for the matter pivotally mounted upon said arm, a rotatable shaft, the supporting arm being rigidly attached to the said shaft, a casing in which the shaft is rotatably mounted, a thrust bearing in said casing for'pre venting axial displacement of the shaft, another shaft, a supporting frame for said other shaft, said casing'being rigidly attached to the other shaft at a predetermined distance from the supporting arm, the axes of said shafts being preferably perpendicular, means for rotating said other shaft, 9. gear rigidly attached to the first-named shaft, and another gear rigidly attached to the supporting frame and operatively associated with the first-named gear.

10. Apparatus of the character described in I claim 3 wherein the container is of a. long tube- 

